Life Science: Origins & Scientific Theory Teacher Guide

Evolution: Fact or Fiction? You'll find many curricula which quote evolutionary theories as if they are an established fact. This unique course helps young people defend their faith through science! In Life Science: Origins & Scientific Theory from Master Books, high school students review the evidence, follow the science, examine both the creation and evolutionary arguments, and eventually come to understand for themselves the origin of life. Unlike many other evolution vs creation books out there, the books used as the core texts in this course were written by Dr. Carl Werner who spent 30 years in a challenge to prove evolution. Yet the more he learned, the more the truth of God’s Word became apparent in the evidence he found! Upon completion of this course, students will have a thorough understanding of the theory of evolution and its limits. They will also develop their critical thinking skills through careful analysis of evidence and comparing the merits of different theories. Along the way, they will learn more about paleontology, biology, and geology as they relate to the study of origins through an exploration of living fossils. 

• Volume 1 Text holds 20 chapters. The first chapter explains the two opposing views on the origin of life. The author gives some fascinating research showing 46% of Americans believe God created man and that not even scientists agree on the evidence. Chapter 2 discusses spontaneous generation and the 'proof' to support it. I used some of this information in a children's church group, and even these young ones could see the flaws of the demonstration. More basic 'proofs' for evolution are presented in chapters 3, 4, and 5 - acquired characteristics, natural selection, and similarities in species. Chapters 6 through 16 deal with the fossil record. By the time you finish these chapters, you will know what is wrong with the fossil record evidence of invertebrates, fish, bats, pinnipeds, flying reptiles, dinosaurs, whales, and birds. The formation of DNA and its components is open for scrutiny in chapters 17 through 19. Dr. Werner concludes in the final chapter that evolution presents more questions than answers (tests are not provided for this last chapter). He summarizes the information presented in the book and asks the final question, "If people were given the opportunity to read this text, do you think the percentage would increase or decrease? So, what do you think?" The first volume in this series is hardcover and 310 pages in length.
• Volume 2, Living Fossils, is divided into 25 chapters which tell Dr. Werner's story as he searches to either prove or disprove evolution. Chapter 1 tells of the challenge presented to him while he was still in college. This challenge launched him on a life-long search for information and evidence. Chapter 2 presents the evidence used on both sides of the argument. Chapter 3 discusses how species are named, and chapters 4-24 present the argument using both fossils and living fossils (fossils which look similar to modern plants or animals) within the different plant and animal species. Dr. Werner wants you to ask yourself at the end of this book, "Has my perception of the past been changed?" This volume is hardcover and 273 pages in length.
• The Teacher Guide includes the lesson schedule, worksheets and quizzes/tests, and answer keys. Lessons will take 30-45 minutes per day, 5 days per week, 180 Days and will count as 1 credit for High School Science. Student worksheets and quizzes/tests are reproducible for your family. No labs are included.
• Optional DVD’s can be purchased separately to enhance the course. The first episode (DVD) coincides with Volume 1 of Evolution: The Grand Experiment. The second episode coincides with Volume 2 Living Fossils. Filmed over a 12-year period on three continents and seven countries and highlights dig sites, museums, and universities and documents misleading museum displays, science articles, and television documentaries. An interview with the author is an added bonus. The viewing time is approximately 1 hour for each DVD.

~ Donna/Amber